Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek’s grand plan lures SA Socceroo James Troisi home
A Gertjan Verbeek proposition to James Troisi has been hailed as a key factor in the Adelaide United coach convincing the SA-born Socceroo to return home to join the Reds.
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A frank discussion about becoming a key midfield cog in Gertjan Verbeek’s Adelaide United masterplan convinced James Troisi it was time to come home.
The SA-born playmaker signed a two-season contract with the Reds on Saturday, 14 years after leaving the state to embark on a European and Asian soccer adventure.
United director of football Bruce Djite told The Advertiser in June that the club had held informal talks with the 37-cap Socceroo.
Djite said a chat between Dutch coach Verbeek and Troisi, coupled with the opportunity to reunite his family, sealed the deal during the past fortnight.
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“The lure to come back is always there,” said Djite, who believed Troisi would feature as a No.10 or central midfielder.
“He’s from Adelaide, he’s just had a kid and his family being here is obviously a big deal.
“But the coach had a meeting with him and that was instrumental for the deal.
“He (Verbeek) explained how he wants him to play in the system and how the system works.
“We want to play possession-based, attacking football and James found that attractive as well.
“All those elements needed to come together to get the signing across the line.
“We’re delighted.”
The ex-Atalanta (Italy), Genclerbirligi and Kayserispor (Turkey) creator had long been linked with an SA return, having last plied his trade in his hometown for Adelaide City in 2005.
Troisi, who also had stints in Belgium, Saudi Arabia and China, was released by Melbourne Victory last campaign and topped Djite’s initial shortlist of potential off-season recruits.
But the former Reds striker opted to thrash out the finer details of the deal with the 31-year-old’s father, Alby Troisi.
“I know James really well,” said Djite, the MC at Troisi’s wedding.
“Negotiating salaries and having hard negotiations with someone like that is not the easiest of tasks, so I deferred to his Dad and that kept it a bit more arm’s length.
“I know the club has been trying to sign him for the last decade.
“My phone has been going bananas all weekend, so it’s obviously been well received.
“For the benefit of James, the coaching staff, the players and the fans, let’s just all hope he has a fantastic season with us.”
Troisi became Adelaide’s fourth signing under Verbeek, following fellow homegrown star Riley McGree, Curacao international Michael Maria and Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth.
He trained with his new teammates on Saturday and would be assessed this week to determine his fitness ahead of Friday’s A-League season-opener against reigning champion Sydney FC.
Troisi, who had notched 27 goals in 105 games during two stints at Victory, would look to rediscover the form which led to him scoring Australia’s winner in the 2015 Asian Cup final.
Djite said the youth product of English Premier League outfit Newcastle United would compliment the progress made by the FFA Cup finalist Reds.
“It (the midfield) was an area of the field where we needed reinforcements,” Djite said.
“But in the front third and the middle third now, we actually look quite good.
“Considering the (off-season) losses of important players in Isaias and (Craig) Goodwin, I think ... we’ve done some pretty good business.
“The core of the group remained, so we could nitpick and be specific in who we want to target and recruit, and that’s what we did.”